ANDRE? REPORTER: THE MAN WHO SERVED IN THE NAVY DURING WORLD WAR TWO. SERVED TWO-TERMS AS GOVERNOR. AFTER THE TWO GOVERNORS BEFORE HIM RESIGNED IN DISGRACE WERE STAINED BY SCANDAL. IN ADDITION TO BEING THE FACE OF RESTORING PUBLIC FAITH IN GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR HUGHES BECAME A CHAMPION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. TONIGHT, FLAGS ARE FLYING AT HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF HUGHES, BEFORE HE SERVED AS MARYLAND’S 57TH GOVERNOR FROM 1979 TO 1987 HE WAS MARYLAND’S FIRS TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY. HE QUIT IN PROTEST OVER A CONTRACT TO BUILD BALTIMORE’S SUBWAY SYSTEM HE THOUGHT WAS POLITCALLY CONNECTED. DURING HIS TWO TERMS HE AGGRESSIVELY PUSHED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TAX RELIEF. HE APPOINTED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES TO HIGH-PROFILE POSITIONS. HIS MOST ENDURING LEGACY WILL BE AS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. THE EASTERN SHORE NATIVE SIGNED A PACT WITH THE GOVERNORS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA AND THE MAYOR OF WASHINGTON D.C. THEIR AGREEMENT LED TO A PUSH TO RESTORE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM POLLUTION THAT PERSISTS TO THIS DAY. 11 NEWS’ SPOKE TO SENATE PRESIDENT MIKE MILLER WHO SAID HUGHES WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME. >> HE WAS A GREAT LEADER AND PEOPLE SHOULD REMEMBER HIM AS BEING THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER THAT HE WAS. PROTECTING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, THE ENVIRONMENT, JUST A TRULY GREAT AND COURAGEOUS LEADER WHO I WILL REMEMBER VERY FOX. -- FONDLY. REPORTER: THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES MICHAEL BUSCH BACKED UP THAT SENTIMENT WITH THIS TWEET. GOVERNOR HARRY HUGHES WAS A FRIEND WHOSE LEGACY AS A PUBLIC I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM FOR HIS STEADFAST DEDICATION TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. GOVERNOR LARRY HOGAN RELEASING A STATEMENT CALLING HUGHES A LONG-TIME FRIEND AND MARYLAND LEGEND WHOM I DEEPLY ADMIRED. REPORTER: THE GOVERNOR HAS ORDERED THE FLAGS FLY AT HALF-STAFF UNTIL SUNSET ON THE DAY HUGHES IS BURIED. HIS FAMILY SAYS THEY’LL BE ANNOUNCING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS AT A LATER DATE. ANDRE HEPKINS, WBAL TV 11

Former Maryland Gov. Harry Hughes has died.Hughes served as the state's 57th governor. He was 92.According to the Maryland State Archives, Hughes was born in Easton and grew up in Denton. He attended Mercersberg Academy in Pennsylvania and Mount St. Mary's College. During World War II, Hughes enlisted with the U.S. Navy Air Corps and later entered the University of Maryland where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1949. He received his law degree from George Washington University School of Law in 1952.The Democrat served in the House of Delegates and state Senate. According to the archives, Hughes was secretary of the Department of Transportation until he resigned over a disagreement over the award of a construction contract for the Baltimore subway. Hughes served two terms as governor from 1979 to 1987."He was a great leader and people should remember him as being the environmental leader that he was, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, protecting the environment. Just a truly great courageous leader who we will remember very fondly," Senate President Mike Miller said.Hughes was married with two daughters.Gov. Larry Hogan released a statement, saying: "The first lady and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Gov. Harry Hughes, a longtime friend and Maryland legend whom I deeply admired. His dedication to our great state -- as a distinguished member of the Maryland General Assembly and as our 57th governor -- and his service to our nation as a member of the Navy Air Corps during World War II leave a legacy behind that will be forever remembered. "Our most sincere prayers are with his two daughters, Ann and Elizabeth, his family, friends, and loved ones in this time of grieving. We will give him the celebration of life that he truly deserves."Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford released a statement, saying: "Incredibly saddened to learn of Gov. Harry Hughes' passing today. Gov. Hughes served the people of Maryland with distinction, and was a fierce protector of our Chesapeake Bay. My wife, Monica, and I extend our deepest sympathies to Gov. Hughes' family and friends, and pray for their comfort during this time of grief."Effective Wednesday, Maryland flags will fly at half-staff until sunset of the day of interment.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. —

Former Maryland Gov. Harry Hughes has died.

Hughes served as the state's 57th governor. He was 92.

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According to the Maryland State Archives, Hughes was born in Easton and grew up in Denton. He attended Mercersberg Academy in Pennsylvania and Mount St. Mary's College.

During World War II, Hughes enlisted with the U.S. Navy Air Corps and later entered the University of Maryland where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1949. He received his law degree from George Washington University School of Law in 1952.

The Democrat served in the House of Delegates and state Senate. According to the archives, Hughes was secretary of the Department of Transportation until he resigned over a disagreement over the award of a construction contract for the Baltimore subway. Hughes served two terms as governor from 1979 to 1987.

"He was a great leader and people should remember him as being the environmental leader that he was, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, protecting the environment. Just a truly great courageous leader who we will remember very fondly," Senate President Mike Miller said.

Hughes was married with two daughters.

Gov. Larry Hogan released a statement, saying: "The first lady and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Gov. Harry Hughes, a longtime friend and Maryland legend whom I deeply admired. His dedication to our great state -- as a distinguished member of the Maryland General Assembly and as our 57th governor -- and his service to our nation as a member of the Navy Air Corps during World War II leave a legacy behind that will be forever remembered.

"Our most sincere prayers are with his two daughters, Ann and Elizabeth, his family, friends, and loved ones in this time of grieving. We will give him the celebration of life that he truly deserves."

Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford released a statement, saying: "Incredibly saddened to learn of Gov. Harry Hughes' passing today. Gov. Hughes served the people of Maryland with distinction, and was a fierce protector of our Chesapeake Bay. My wife, Monica, and I extend our deepest sympathies to Gov. Hughes' family and friends, and pray for their comfort during this time of grief."

Effective Wednesday, Maryland flags will fly at half-staff until sunset of the day of interment.

His long and successful life was undoubtedly a reward for his tireless service on behalf of our citizens and belief that government can indeed work to make lives and communities better. We honor his memory.